Ch. 501..510

Chapter 501

I glanced down, noticing his soaked shoes. "Then how'd Hayden pull it off?"

"No clue. And nobody else seems to know, either." Jace tilted his umbrella up a bit, meeting my eyes.

"So, you thought I'd know? That you could get answers from me?"

Jace held steady under my sharp stare. "I know you don't."

He held my gaze for a beat before looking away. "He's deliberately keeping it under wraps. But I did hear something."

"What?"

"Word is that the boss at Quartz Cue got... well, 'dealt with. Not sure if it's true." He sounded hesitant, but I got what he was hinting at. "You think Hayden was involved?"

Jace was quiet for a second. "Maybe. But Quartz Cue is huge in Houston. Their boss isn't the kind of guy you just... handle."

The way he said it, I could tell he'd tried to meet this Quartz Cue boss himself-and failed.

"I don't know how Hayden helped Steve. And he never gave me a chance to ask."

Just then, a gust of wind sent a raindrop splashing against my cheek, cold and sharp. It felt just like the tears I'd shed when Hayden pushed me away. "Hayden didn't even let you explain?" Jace's voice softened.

"He did. But he still wouldn't forgive me. Said he couldn't be with a woman who'd risk her life for another guy." I raised my umbrella, glancing over at Jace. "But he got it all wrong. I didn't do it for you, specifically. "I'd do it for anyone. It just happened to be you, and given our past...

"I get why Hayden misunderstood. Just like..."

I hesitated. "Just like how I misread what happened with you and Tanya. You explained, but it still hurt."

"I'm sorry." The apology came easy for Jace, softer than I expected.

I let out a bitter laugh. He looked at me, then asked, "Do you want me to talk to him for you?"

"No. It'd only make things worse, like when Tanya came to explain herself to me." As I said it, I realized how Hayden and I had ended up on the same track Jace and I had been on.

Only this time, I was the one making mistakes without even seeing it.

Jace went quiet. After a moment, I added, "Look, Jace, we're family now. From here on out, we're real siblings."

"Rea..."

"You may have played a part in what happened with Hayden and me, but the real problems are ours to handle. You don't need to feel guilty." I wanted to end whatever lingering feelings or regret he might still

Chapter 501

have.

"Oh, and that 'blood debt' you mentioned back in Houston? Someday, if I need blood, you can pay me back then. Blood bank buddies." I forced a smile. "No regrets there."

Jace laughed, but it was tinged with sadness. "Rea, I thought I knew you. Turns out I'm only just starting

to."

gave a distant smile. Glancing back, I noticed Wayne in the kitchen window with Lindey, helping her make gnocchi. He was watching us-keeping an eye, like he hadn't given up yet.

But Jace was still totally oblivious to Wayne's feelings for me. I reached out, catching a raindrop sliding off the edge of my umbrella. "It's normal, you know? Sometimes even couples together a lifetime, or siblings raised side by side, don't really get each other. Jace nodded. "Yeah, we all think we-"

He didn't get to finish. My phone started ringing-a voice call.

When I saw the caller ID, my heart skipped a beat.

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It was Cedric Sawyer, the police officer.

We'd set up a meeting before, and now he was calling, probably to arrange it.

I used to feel this rush of excitement at the idea of finally finding out the truth about my parents' accident. But somewhere along the way, that excitement turned into a weird, uneasy feeling-like that nervous flutter you get coming back home after a long time away. I glanced at Jace, who immediately stepped back, catching on. I walked a few steps away before answering. "Officer Sawyer."

"Are you free to meet right now?"

I looked around at the heavy rain pouring down. Definitely not the best day for a meeting. But since he'd picked today, it had to be important. I took a steadying breath. "Alright. Where?"

As I got ready to leave, Lindey's disappointed face tugged at me-she'd just made gnocchi, and I hadn't even tasted it yet.

"Come back soon, and I'll make it for you again," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

I promised her and drove out of the Johnston residence into the rain.

Jace had asked who was so important that I had to leave right then, but I just told him it was someone I

needed to meet.

Cedric had chosen my parents' cemetery. Thinking of the flowers I'd sometimes seen left at their graves, had a feeling I knew why he'd picked this spot.

Through the sheets of rain, I finally saw him, standing by their headstone with a black umbrella. The closer I got, the more my stomach twisted.

I stopped on the steps beside him, but with the umbrella shading his face, I still couldn't see him clearly.

"Officer Sawyer?" I called out.

He shifted his umbrella just enough for his face to come into view, and I froze-it really was him.

"Hello, Keira," he greeted me.

Flashes of our last encounter came rushing back, back when he'd handed me my parents' death reports. Now I understood why he'd asked for my phone number that day. "You've probably come to visit my parents a lot over the years, haven't you?" I glanced at the fresh flowers resting by their graves.

"A few times." He had that serious, no-nonsense look about him, like he'd been carved from stone.

But knowing he'd quietly visited them all this time-holding onto this small, hidden warmth-stirred something deep in me. "Thank you."

"No need for thanks. I visit them because of a debt, not affection." His words sent a chill through me.

I knew that "debt" likely had something to do with their accident.

 

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I waited, expecting him to go on, but he just stared at their photos on the headstone.

All around us, the rain fell steady and endless.

"Officer Sawyer," I finally broke the silence, unable to hold back.

"You've been living with a family friend of theirs all these years, haven't you?" His question confirmed he'd done his homework. "Yes, with Matthew Johnston of RiverwaveCorp," I replied, watching him, wondering why the Johnstons were on his mind. After all, I'd wrestled with my own doubts about Matthew before.

"They've treated you well?"

"Yes," I said honestly. "Like their own daughter."

Cedric nodded. "If your parents' spirits are watching over you, I think they'd feel at peace, knowing you've been in good hands."

His words sharpened my unease. "Are you saying this has something to do with my parents' accident?"

He looked directly at me. "You're pretty perceptive."

I pressed my lips together, waiting.

"Listen, there's something I need to say before I hand you the investigation report." Standing so close, tall and solid, Cedric almost seemed... fatherly. Maybe I was just craving that kind of presence.

"Go ahead," I replied.

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"You can't change the past; just hold onto the people you've got now."

I knew what he was getting at, and it hit a nerve. If this report on my parents' accident pointed to someone still around... he was basically telling me not to let it mess things up with the people who'd actually been good to me. "Yeah, I get it," I nodded. "I've thought about it a lot, especially over the past few months."

It wasn't just talk. I'd spent so much time with that contract I found in my dad's notebook, going over every theory, every suspicion, struggling to make sense of it. And somehow, I'd finally started to accept some of it. "Looks like making you wait wasn't for nothing," Cedric said, like he'd been expecting this. Now! understood why he'd been so cryptic, dropping hints but never giving me the full story.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out an envelope, but he didn't hand it over just yet. "You know Hayden Hart, right?"

My heart skipped. Hayden and I had dug into his dad's death too, searching for answers. "Did he come to you, too?"

"Yeah. He wanted this report as much as you do."

My breath caught. "So... does he already know?"

Cedric shook his head, his hand still wrapped around the envelope. "Are you hoping I'll tell you both at the same time?"

Before I could say anything, footsteps sounded on the steps behind us.

I turned to see Hayden coming up the stairs, holding an umbrella, and in that moment, it felt like a wave crashed over me, making it hard to breathe.

It wasn't just because of us, all the history tangled between us, but also because of what we were about to uncover about our parents' deaths.

Maybe it was all just an accident. Or maybe... it wasn't.

Hayden stopped a couple of steps below me, his eyes flicking up to meet mine-just for a second-before he turned to Cedric. "Hi, Officer Sawyer."

Cedric nodded, and Hayden stepped closer, looking at my parents' gravestone.

The three of us stood there in silence, the rain falling softly over the headstones, each of us caught in our

own thoughts.

Finally, Cedric spoke, his voice low as he addressed my parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Kay, I'm sorry. It's been ten years, but I'm finally here to bring you the justice you deserve." His words hit me like a punch to the chest. This wasn't just an accident. There was more.

For a split second, I almost wanted to stop him from saying anything else.

A gust of wind shook my umbrella, bumping it against Hayden's. I glanced up, and he was looking back at

 

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me, his eyes shadowed, heavier than the rain around us.

"Mr. Hart. Miss Kay," Cedric called.

We adjusted our umbrellas, turning to face him. He held out a worn envelope. "The answers you're looking for are right here."

Hayden and I both stared at it, neither of us reaching for it.

Cedric held it steady, unflinching. "You've got one minute to decide. If you don't want the truth, I'll burn it right here in front of you."

A sharp, aching tightness gripped my chest, like my heart might actually burst. I needed to know the truth; I could let go of the anger, but not without knowing. And yet... I was terrified.

If I turned away now, my parents' deaths would stay a mystery forever.

I couldn't move, my whole body trembling with indecision.

Hayden stood beside me, silent, not making a move either.

Cedric had given us one minute. For the first time, a single minute felt like a lifetime.

Just as I thought I'd crack under the pressure, a long arm reached out beside me.

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"Hayden!"

I grabbed his arm, my voice barely steady. He looked down, his eyes meeting mine, and for a second, I couldn't get the words out. My lips trembled, but he understood.

Just as the knot in my throat tightened, he murmured, low and rough, "We need an answer."

With that, he gently slid my hand off his arm, took the envelope, and opened it.

His movements were quick, almost like he was afraid if he slowed down, I might stop him.

Inside, a few lines were scrawled on yellowed paper, but I couldn't bring myself to look. Hayden read each word, carefully, his face set. When he was done, he glanced at Cedric, as if asking for confirmation.

Cedric nodded, his voice low. "I knew what this report meant, which is why I had it double-checked. Three independent repair shops examined everything, and their findings are in there too."

Hayden reached in and pulled out additional sheets. Each document was as aged as the first, but all of them bore signatures and.official stamps.

This was real.

He looked back at me, then held the papers out. I didn't even need to read them; I already knew.

But my hand shook as I took them anyway. Cedric spoke gently. "Miss Kay, you should see for yourself. If you have questions, I'm here."

I looked at him, his expression calm, encouraging. Taking a breath, I glanced down at the report.

[June 10, 2013 Cedarwood Road.

[Summary of Findings: A traffic accident occurred on this date. Technical analysis determined the cause as brake system failure, with signs of deliberate tampering.

[Additional Investigation: The vehicle's route confirms Jim Patterson was the sole driver; no other person accessed the car before the crash. Consequently, Jim Patterson is considered a primary suspect. However, with his passing, there remains insufficient evidence to conclude his intent regarding the brake tampering.]

"Insufficient evidence"-a hollow, bitter phrase.

11

"This conclusion was... inconclusive," Cedric said, his tone matching the disappointment in the words. Which is why it never made it to the official report. But since you both wanted answers, I'm giving it to you now."

He paused, his voice softer. "You're both adults now. How you interpret this... that's up to you. But don't forget what I said: people need to look forward."

He looked back at my parents' gravestone one last time. "They'd want you to live in the present. Not be chained to the past."

With that, he left, leaving me and Hayden standing by their graves.

Neither of us spoke. Once, we'd been the closest of lovers; now, with this report between us, we felt more

 

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like strangers. And maybe, after this, we'd become enemies.

This... this was the very definition of adding insult to injury.

After a long silence, Hayden spoke. "If there's anything you want to say, or need from me, just tell me."

But what could I possibly say?

What could I ask for?

They'd been gone ten years. Nothing would change that.

Before, I'd been so afraid of the truth, dreading it. But now, holding the report in my hands, I just felt... numb. Yet his words still cut through..

"What do you want me to say?" I muttered. "What do you expect me to ask for?"

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"I'll make it up to you for what my father did."

The words felt like a dull knife twisting in my chest. I looked straight at him. "Hayden, are you really just accepting this? "Haven't you been digging into this the whole time?

"Is this all you found-that your father tampered with the brakes and caused my parents' deaths?"

We'd suspected it might be true, but he'd promised me answers, promised me closure.

And now, instead of giving me that, he was just... accepting this inconclusive report. Even the police couldn't say it for sure.

Was this some kind of brush-off? Or did he just want me to hate him, to resent him because of his dad?

He didn't look at me, didn't say a word.

The bitterness tightened in my chest as I thought about how easily he'd pushed me away. "Hayden... did you already know about this? Is that why you broke up with me over what happened in Houston? Was it -just an excuse?" "No," he said firmly.

My eyes wavered.

He looked down, watching the raindrops splatter on the ground. "I'm still investigating. If I find anything. I'll tell you the whole truth. But right now, all we have is this report, and it names my father as the prime 'suspect." I felt my breath hitch. "If... if Houston hadn't happened, and we were standing here with this report, would you still have broken up with me?"

He met my eyes, his gaze dark, almost haunted. "I don't know, Maybe... maybe I would."

"Maybe"? What does maybe even mean?" I demanded

"Because I don't want you tied to the son of a murderer. I don't want you carrying that weight over your own parents," he said, his throat bobbing as he swallowed, "Keira, maybe we were never meant to be together. Fated, huh?

I stared at him, a hollow laugh escaping. "Hayden, if you don't want to be with me, you don't need excuses or justifications. And don't act like it's for my sake." I looked him over, and suddenly, he felt like a stranger, even though he looked the same as ever. Funny how just a few days apart could turn someone so familiar into someone so distant.

"I won't cling to you. If you want to break up, then fine, we'll break up. And as for whatever happened -between our parents? Even if it was your father's fault, won't hold that against you," I said, glancing

toward my parents' graves.

They'd always taught me that hate only breeds more hate.

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Once, I'd asked if they resented their own parents for abandoning them, for leaving them to grow up as orphans. They'd just laughed and said no. They told me that because of that life, they'd met each other at the orphanage. And eventually, they'd had me.

"Hayden, you're you, and your father is your father. I knew from the start my dad's death might be connected to yours, but I still chose to be with you." I gave a small, tired smile. "When it came to loving you, I didn't waver. I never once thought of leaving you over this." I saw a flicker of emotion flash across his face, the turmoil in his eyes. My words hit hard.

So he did still love me-just less than he feared I might hot trust him.

Turning back, I took a few steps closer to my parents gravestone. "Mom, Dad, this report finally explains

and why you were taken, why you left so suddenly. But in the end, it doesn't change anything. You're gone, you're not coming back."

I placed the report down on their graves, watching as heavy raindrops soaked it, the ink bleeding and fading until the words blurred out of existence.

I looked back at Hayden, "Goodbye, Hayden."

That single goodbye closed the chapter.

From this moment on, he was on his own, and so was

No love. No hate. Just... nothing.

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This time, no tears. It felt like I'd run out-or maybe it was something deeper, finally settling in

I'd accepted it: Hayden and I were done.

On the drive back, rain came down hard, like it was trying to drown the whole city. I don't know if I was zoned out or if the roads were just slick, but I didn't hit the brakes in time and bumped the car in front of

1. me.

The rain was so intense that neither of us even bothered getting out to check. We just called the police and stayed in our cars.

By the time the police and insurance showed up, the rain had finally eased. I stepped out of the car, and so did the other driver-and we both froze when we saw each other.

"If I'd known it was you, I wouldn't have dragged the cops out in this weather," she said, annoyed, and I could see the young traffic cop roll his eyes.

"You two know each other?" he asked. "You want to settle it privately or go

"Officially," I said.

"Privately," Sasha snapped, right at the same time.

The cop sighed. "Pick one, or I start writing it up."

"Officially. We have insurance," I insisted.

official?".

Sasha just rolled her eyes. "If we go official, they'll tow our cars, and then we're stuck waiting on repairs. Total hassle for something this tiny."

She wasn't wrong-it'd be a nightmare to deal with the rain without my car. But, knowing her, she could probably get a replacement with a single phone call. She just wanted to skip the headache. Still, I pushed to keep it official, asking the police and insurance folks to go ahead and assess the cars right there.

Just as I was about to leave, a tiny, sweet voice called out from Sasha's car.

"Miss, Miss!" came the little voice.

I turned to see Milly's adorable face peeking out the window, and couldn't help but smile as I walked over. "Hey, Milly! Long time no see."

"Will you stay with me? It's my birthday today," she said, catching me totally off guard. It felt impossible to

say no.

Sasha smirked. "You ran into my car, so it's like fate brought you to our doorstep."

Alright, so she was going to rope me into this, huh?

But it was Milly's birthday, and there was no way I could just walk off. "How about I take you out to pick a birthday present, Milly?"

She shook her head. "I don't need a gift; I just want you to spend time with me."

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#25 BONUS

Her words hit me, reminding me of the first time I met her. As Thorsten's daughter, she had everything she could ever want-except people who showed up for her.

"Please?" she asked, her big eyes hopeful.

Something in me softened. "Okay." I said with a smile. And you can just call me Keira."

"Perfect!" Sasha grinned. "Let's head back together, Keira. Everything's ready at home."

I hadn't seen Sasha much, but each time, she left a whole new impression. The first time, she was all charm; next, she came off petty and jealous, then almost vulnerable, like she was just as alone as the rest of us. "Going to your place is... kinda inconvenient for me," I admitted, trying to keep it real.

If it was Milly's birthday. Thorsten would probably be there, and maybe even Cole. The last thing I wanted was to get tangled up with them.

Sasha, clearly reading my hesitation, shrugged. "No inconvenience. Thorsten's not doing well, so he won't be there," she said, then nodded at Milly. "It'll just be us and her."

With that reassurance-and Milly looking up at me with those big, hopeful eyes-what else could I say?

Once the traffic cop and insurance rep were done, a car Sasha had called pulled up. "They'll tow ours for repairs. We'll take this one," she said smoothly.

Milly was already clutching my hand and looked up, reaching out to be carried.

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Milly sure knew how to work her charm. I scooped her up and carried her over to the car Sasha had called.

On the way, I used my phone to order her a little birthday gift. Even if Milly insisted she didn't need anything, I still wanted to do something special for her

Sasha and Milly lived in Seavora's most exclusive neighborhood, and when we walked inside, the place. was decked out with balloons, toys, and garlands everywhere. "Thorsten set all this up." Sasha said,

-Looking around at all the decorations, I couldn't help but say, "He really does care about her."

"Of course," she replied. "But a child doesn't need all this. And..." She glanced over at Milly, then leaned closer. "Milly's getting older, and people always assume Thorsten's her grandfather. She's started resenting him for it." istake. But b

Considering his age, it wasn't surprising people made that mistake. But honestly, who could blame Milly for feeling awkward?

Milly tugged me to her playroom, begging me to play with her, and within minutes, I was wiped. Keeping up with a kid is no joke. Just when I was starting to fade, the gift I'd ordered arrived. "Milly, here's a present from me. Hope you like it!"

I used the break to catch my breath, realizing I hadn't seen Sasha since we'd come in. A mald brought over some coffee and fruit, so I casually asked, "Where's Ms. Grey?"

The maid glanced upstairs. "She should be upstairs."

I nodded and sat with Milly as she opened her gift. Moments later, Sasha's sharp voice drifted down from upstairs-she was definitely arguing with someone.

No wonder the maid had looked a little uneasy. She'd probably heard it too.

About ten minutes later, Sasha came downstairs, eyes red and puffy. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and said, "Got into a fight with Thorsten."

I wasn't expecting her to be so blunt, but since she brought it up, it felt like she wanted to vent. I gave her a small smile. "You two fight?"

She glanced at Milly, then muttered, "He's worried I'll go after his son's inheritance."

That threw me for a second, an image of Cole flashing through my mind, but I didn't really know what to say. Family stuff was always tricky. Still, I managed, "Are you hoping to make things official?"

Sasha and Thorsten weren't married, which meant she had no claim to anything in the Drago family- unless she became Mrs. Drago.

"If I even thought about it, he'd kill me," she said flatly, her words making me pause.

She was Thorsten's lover and had a child with him. Yet, she was saying marriage wasn't even on the table.

"I never wanted to be his wife. Can you believe that?" She gave a strange, almost defiant smile.

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Did she really mean she'd be fine staying his mistress forever? Even if she didn't mind, what about Milly? Would she really be okay with her daughter growing up without any formal recognition?

Before I could ask, Sasha's expression darkened. "I'll outlast him,' she said, gritting her teeth. "I'll watch him die."

I was stunned. They'd been together long enough to have a child-maybe not love, but enough that wishing him dead seemed extreme.

She poured herself a glass of wine and took a long sip. "Bet you didn't think I hated him this much, did you?"

The age difference between them flashed through my mind. "When you got involved with him, was it... not by choice?"

Sasha's eyes went distant, like she was seeing something I couldn't. "To have me, he destroyed my boyfriend."

I froze, stunned, though somehow, it felt exactly like something Thorsten would do.

"He's got blood on his hands. So many lives-I know all about it," she murmured, staring into her wine glass. Her eyes looked almost bloodshot, matchin

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Sasha looked different-angry, like she was holding back something big. It was honestly kinda scary to see her like this.

I swallowed. "If you hate him this much, and you know what he's done... then why...?"

I left the question hanging. I didn't know what she'd even want out of this anymore.

The bitterness in Sasha's voice said it all. That kind of anger-you'd think she'd have walked away before bringing a child into it. A kid would only tie her closer to Thorsten, making it nearly impossible to get away. And yet, she'd still had Milly. Sasha caught my thoughts, sighing. "You're wondering why I kept her, right?"

I nodded, glancing over at Milly playing innocently across the room. "If things really fall apart between you two... what about her? She's done nothing wrong."

Sasha's face twisted as she downed her wine, pain flashing through her eyes. "You think I wanted to have her?"

I felt this ache in my chest, watching her.

"When I was just a few weeks along, he forced a doctor to tell him the baby's gender," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "When he found out it was a girl, he hired six maids-not to help me, but to watch me."

I was stunned. "So... you didn't want to have her?"

"Not after how he forced me to stay," she said, glancing at Milly. "If she'd been a boy, we wouldn't even be having this conversation,"

The realization hit me like a truck. My eyes dropped to her stomach. "Wait... you're pregnant again?"

Sasha gave me a wry smile, holding up her thumb. "Sharp as ever."

Not exactly the compliment I'd wanted. I looked at her seriously. "Thorsten doesn't want this baby, does he? He's forcing you to get rid of it?"

"He's bringing someone over tomorrow to 'take care of it, apparently," Sasha muttered, reaching for the wine bottle again,

I put my hand over hers. "Sasha, you shouldn't drink. You're pregnant."

"Does it matter? It's not like I get to keep it," she said, gesturing bitterly at her stomach.

She'd just told me how Thorsten had forced her to carry Milly to term, even though she hadn't wanted to. Now he was forcing her to get rid of this baby, and yet... she seemed torn. She was so conflicted.

"Do you want to keep this baby?"

Her gaze drifted back to Milly, and she went quiet. After a long moment, her voice softened. "I want Milly to have someone. A sibling. Someone who's hers."

Her words were heavy, and suddenly I got it.

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Sasha wasn't planning to stick around forever. She was just waiting, biding her time until she could take Thorsten down with her.

I looked at her, feeling a new sense of respect. She wasn't here for money or an easy life, and she definitely wasn't letting go of her anger just to make things smoother. "You could try reasoning with him," I suggested.

She shook her head. "It's pointless. When I was pregnant with Milly, he made it clear that everything he owns is meant for his son. No one else can threaten that." "But Milly's his daughter. And this baby..." Frustration crept into my voice.

"It doesn't matter." She looked at me, her eyes hard. "He's not calling the shots."

I frowned. "Then... who is?"

She poured herself another glass, her jaw tight. "It's his wife. She knows about all his 'extras' on the side but has one rule: no other kids,"

"But Milly-"

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509

I barely managed to get out before Sasha raised her hand, cutting me off and gesturing toward Milly. She's just... lucky."

I blinked, lost. Sasha raised an eyebrow. "You're totally confused, aren't you?" "It's... kind of a lot," I admitted.

Sasha let out a dry laugh. "Thorsten and his wife had this terrible car accident once. He almost didn't make it, and she was in a coma for, like, ten days-maybe two weeks. We all thought she was done for. But then she woke up."

Sasha shook her head like she couldn't even believe the story herself. "And when she woke up, she told everyone she'd dreamed about a little girl-a young girl standing in front of some kind of saint or angel. This girl offered her a 'magic pill that would save her life." I raised an eyebrow. "And... then what?"

"Right after she woke up, I found out I was pregnant. She made Thorsten take me to get my blood tested immediately. She said if it was a girl, I could keep it. If I was a boy... well, I'd have to end the pregnancy," Sasha said, glancing over at Milly. "In her mind, Milly is that girl from the dream-the one who saved her life. It's the only reason she let her be born."

I couldn't help but laugh. "So, basically, Thorsten's wife should be treating Milly like some kind of miracle."

"She would, if she weren't so weak from the accident. If she was stronger, she'd have probably tried to take Milly from me by now," Sasha said, reaching for her wine again. I stopped her hand.

"If you really want to keep this baby, then fight for it. Acting like you've already lost is the same as giving up." I reminded her.

"Fight? How?" Sasha shook her head. "You don't understand Thorsten."

A lion might not eat its own cubs, but Thorsten... he was worse than a monster.

"But you know his secrets, don't you? You know the dirt he's hiding. Why not use that to get a chance for yourself?" I pressed, genuinely baffled.

She looked at me, eyes weary. "Keira, do you think I haven't thought of that? But he's got my first boyfriend -yeah, still. If I step out of line, he'll go after him."

That made things pretty clear. Sasha still loved her boyfriend, which only deepened her hate for Thorsten. She couldn't even touch that anger because she had to keep her boyfriend safe.

I shook my head, stunned by how twisted Thorsten was. Using her first love to keep her in check? The guy played on a whole other level.

"Sasha, keeping up this act won't change anything. He's alive, but your sacrifices? They won't bring back what you lost," I said softly, trying to get through to her

Sasha just gave a sad smile. "Yeah, it's already lost. But I can't stand the thought of him being hurt... or worse."

She shut her eyes, the weight of it all on her. "So yeah, I just wait it out. Outlast him, somehow... wait

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until he's gone.

'Wait.' That word was heavy, loaded with all the helplessness she'd been holding back.

Thorsten's health was failing, but with his money? He could buy himself ten, maybe even twenty more years.

And if he wouldn't spare his own family, there was no chance he'd show Sasha a shred of mercy.

"You think I'm being an idiot, don't you?" she asked, her gaze locking onto mine.

I sighed. "Not exactly wise."

She gave a bitter laugh. "Probably right. But hey, guess what they said about that car accident Thorsten- and his wife had?" ""What did they say?"

Sasha leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "They called it karma.*

I frowned. "Karma?"

Her gaze darkened. "Thorsten once arranged a car accident to kill a couple.

The blood drained from my face.

My voice barely came out. "What... what did you just say?"

"They say he paid off the driver to mess with their brakes..." Her lips kept moving, but the words faded as my mind went blank.

Chapter

510

The accident she described-Was it the same one that killed my parents?

So, Hayden's father... he was paid off?!

Shock twisted inside me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I looked at Sasha, trying to keep my steady. "Who told you this? Is there any proof?"

y voice

She didn't notice my agitation, just shook her head. "I don't know. It's just something people whisper. Anyone close to him is too scared to say it out loud. If Thorsten caught wind of it, they wouldn't live to see another day." "Could you... find out more?" I asked, barely able to hold it together.

Sasha turned, finally sensing something was off, and gave me a curious smile. "Why are you so interested?

I hesitated, staring at her, wondering if she could handle the truth. But then I decided she deserved it. Because those people... they were my parents. And that driver was my ex's father." Her eyes widened.

I grabbed her arm, my grip tight. That's why I need to know if it's true. I need evidence."

Her false lashes fluttered, taken aback. "So... you want me to help?"

I knew we weren't close. She'd tried to befriend me once, and I'd brushed her off. And now here I was, asking her for help-it felt humiliating.

But she hated Thorsten, and she was close to him, close enough to know things.

Rumors like this didn't come out of nowhere. Someone out there had to know the truth.

Swallowing my pride was the least of my worries-I needed answers, and I'd do whatever it took to get

them.

"Ms. Grey, please... help me.

Sasha paused, then gave me a faint smile. "We're not even friends. I could just say no, you know."

Yep, women can be petty. She definitely hadn't forgotten that I brushed her off before.

But from the glint in her eye, I knew she was just testing me.

"If you help me, then we'll be friends," I replied, meeting her tone.

She smirked. "That how you usually ask for favors?"

"It's not a favor. It's a request," I said, keeping my cool, I needed her help, but I wasn't about to

o beg.

Even with friends, if you come across as too desperate, you're bound to lose ground. Sasha wanted to be close, and if she helped me now, I'd repay her in a way that actually meant something to her. She studied me. "Raised by the Johnstons... yeah, I can see you don't lack confidence, Fine, I'll see what I can do. But no promises."

Chapter 510

 

Her agreement didn't exactly settle me. If anything, my stomach tightened. Thorsten had no personal reason to go after my parents. And yet, he did.

There had to be something bigger, something I wasn't ready to face.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of cake and candles for Milly's birthday. As I was heading out, I turned back to Sasha. "What are you going to do about the baby?"

She rested a hand on her still-flat stomach. "I'll do my best to keep it."

Her resolve was clear. I leaned in. "My best friend's an OB-GYN. If you need anything, let me know-I can set something up."

She nodded. "Be careful getting back."

Her driver took me home. The rain was still coming down, like it hadn't stopped all day. Parts of the road were flooded, and he mentioned other areas had been completely submerged. But I was too wrapped up in my thoughts about my parents to really listen.

As we neared my place, Yuna called. "Keira, where are you?"

"I'm almost home," I replied, my voice sounding distant even to myself.